History

Former Rose State College Regents

Rose State College has been richly blessed with talented and dedicated leaders who volunteered their time and services to build the College into the successful and excellent institution of higher education that it is today. Provided below, in alphabetical order, is a brief biographical statement about each of our past Regents.

Alvin H. Alcorn, 1987-2001

Alvin H. Alcorn, long-time higher education administrator and resident of Edmond, Oklahoma, was appointed to the Board of Regents in December 1987 by Governor Henry Bellmon to complete the seven-year term of Regent Julia Thomas due to expire June 30, 1994. He was reappointed by Governor David Walters for a seven-year term to expire June 30, 2001. Regent Alcorn served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1990, through June 30, 1992. The Grant Foyer of the Rose State College Communications Center is named in his honor.

Gary W. Banz, 2001-2004

Gary Banz, retired educator and resident of Midwest City, was appointed to Position No. 7 of the Board of Regents by Governor Frank Keating in May 2001 for a seven-year term, succeeding Regent Alcorn. Regent Banz resigned his position in November 2004 upon being elected to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Joe B. Barnes, 1968-1973

First ParliamentarianJoe B. Barnes was appointed by the first four Trustees to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College in August 1968 and was re-elected by the residents of the local technical district in 1970. He was appointed to a six-year term on the Board of Regents of the College by Governor David Hall in December 1973. A resident of and business owner in Midwest City, he served as the first Board Parliamentarian and as Chairman of the Board from September 1, 1973, through October 31, 1975. He resigned from the Board in May 1976 to run for public office.

Ken Bartlett, 2001-2010

Ken Bartlett, auditor for the Oklahoma Tax Commission and resident of Del City, was appointed to Position No. 2 of the Board of Regents by Governor Frank Keating in September 2001 to complete the seven-year term of Regent Don Reynolds. He was reappointed to the Board in May 2003 by Governor Brad Henry for a seven-year term, ending June 30, 2010. Regent Bartlett served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.

William G. Bernhardt, M.D., 1973-1987

William G. Bernhardt, resident of and physician in Midwest City, was appointed by Governor David Hall in February 1973 to Position No. 1 on the Board of Oscar Rose Junior College for a one-year term. He was reappointed by Governor Hall for a seven-year term, and Governor George Nigh then reappointed him for another seven-year term. Dr. Bernhardt served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1977, through June 30, 1979. He resigned his position on the Board in July 1987.

William P. Bowden, 1997-2004

William P. Bowden, Major General (Ret.), USAF, resident of Oklahoma City, was appointed to Position No. 3 of the Board of Regents by Governor Frank Keating in April 1997, succeeding Regent Saunders. General Bowden served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001.

Bryce H. Cochran, M.D., 1968-1973

Bryce H. Cochran was appointed by the first four Trustees to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College in August 1968 and was re-elected by the residents of the local technical district in 1970. He was a resident of and physician in Midwest City. He resigned from the Board in February 1973.

K. Joe Cole, 1988-2013

Joe Cole was appointed in March 1988 by Governor Henry Bellmon to fill an unexpired term. In 1992 he was reappointed by Governor Walters for a seven-year term. Governor Keating and Governor Henry each then reappointed him for successive terms through June 30, 2013. He served multiple terms as an officer of the Board, including four terms as Chairman of the Board. In October 2012, Mr. Cole was awarded the Rose State College Tower Award for his exemplary service to the College.

Gus Coleman, 1977-1984

Gus Coleman, who served in the Mid-Del School District for 24 years, was appointed by Governor David Boren in July 1977 to Position No. 4 of the Board of Regents to serve a seven-year term. He was reappointed by Governor George Nigh for an additional seven-year term, which expired June 30, 1991. Regent Coleman served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1981, through June 30, 1982. During his 37 years in public education, he was a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. His last position was principal of Epperly Heights Elementary.

Ronald L. Collier, 1979-1988

Ronald Collier, banker and resident of Del City, was appointed to the Board of Regents in July 1979 by Governor George Nigh to complete the seven-year term of Regent J.B. Estes due to expire June 30, 1985. Regent Collier was reappointed by Governor Nigh for an additional seven-year term to expire June 30, 1992; however, he resigned his position in February 1988. Regent Collier served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1982, through June 30, 1984.

John Conrad, 1973-1980

John Conrad was appointed to Position No. 7 of the Board of Regents of Oscar Rose Junior College by Governor David Hall in December 1973 for a seven-year term. He was a resident of and business owner in Midwest City. He served on the Board through June 30, 1980.

Aarone C. Corwin, 2005-2015

A native of Illinois and an Oklahoman since 1968, Aarone Corwin was appointed to the unfinished term of Regent Gary Banz, who left to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2005. She was reappointed in 2008 by Governor Brad Henry for a full term. She is best known as the former Executive Director of the Artz Place, Executive Secretary of the Oklahoma Library Association, and later as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries' Oklahoma Center for the Book. She was instrumental in establishing the Oklahoma Book Award Ceremony to honor Oklahoma writers. We can thank Aarone Corwin for our beautiful Midwest City Library. While serving as a Regent, Mrs. Corwin worked as a volunteer during the campus summer events for children at Kids College.

Robert H. Croak, 1993-2014

Robert H. Croak was first appointed in April 1993 by Governor David Walters. He was then reappointed by Governor Frank Keating and Governor Brad Henry for successive terms through June 30, 2014. He is a second generation banker, succeeding his father Henry Croak, for whom the Science and Math Building is named. The Croak family sponsors the First National Bank Charity Golf Classic, which has raised more than $650,000 for the Rose State College Foundation to date. The Croak family continues to be passionate supporters for the College. In 2010, Robert H. Croak was honored as an inaugural Tower Award recipient. His son William was appointed to serve at the expiration of his term.

J.B. Estes, 1968-1979

First TreasurerJ.B. Estes was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College on August 1, 1968, for a one-year term and was re-elected by the residents of the local technical district in 1970. He was appointed to the Board of Regents of the College by Governor David Hall in December 1973 for a five-year term. A resident of Oklahoma City and an attorney, he served as the first Treasurer of the Board and as Chairman of the Board from August 1, 1972, through August 31, 1973. Although his term expired June 30, 1978, he served through May 1979.

Ray M. Hardin, 2002-2009

Ray Hardin, Midwest City resident and business owner, was appointed to Position No. 1 of the Board of Regents by Governor Frank Keating in April 2002, succeeding Regent Saunders. Regent Hardin served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007. He has funded the Ray M. Hardin/Kelly and Kevin Miller Endowment for Small Business Education.

Patricia W. Hefton, 1984-1991

Patricia Hefton, resident of Oklahoma City, was appointed to Position No. 3 of the Board of Regents in August 1984 by Governor George Nigh to complete the seven-year term of Regent Jo Helen Webber due to expire June 30, 1990. Regent Hefton served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1988, through June 30, 1990, and continued to serve on the Board through May 1991.

Richard (Dick) R. Hefton, 2009-2016

Brigadier General Richard (Dick) R. Hefton, is the retired commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was appointed in February 2009 by Governor Brad Henry to fill an unexpired term. He served multiple terms as an officer of the Board, including one term as Chairman. During his term as Chairman, Regent Hefton was instrumental in the idea, construction, and successful completion of The Village, Rose State College's 170-bed student housing complex. Regent Hefton made it possible for Rose State College to be the first urban community college in Oklahoma to offer student housing. At his retirement from the Board, Regent Hefton was presented with a miniature copy of the dedication plaque that hands in the Clubhouse of The Village.

James F. Howell, 2004-2011

James F. Howell served in the Oklahoma State Senate for District 42 from 1970-1986, serving 12 of those years as Chairman and four as Vice Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Senator Howell spearheaded passage of Oklahoma legislation in 1973 authorizing procedures for then Oscar Rose Junior College and certain other designated community junior colleges (Oklahoma City Community College and Tulsa Community College) to become state colleges and full members of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. In 2004, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry appointed James F. Howell to serve a seven-year term on the Rose State College Board of Regents. Regent/Trustee Howell has served in all officer positions of the Board, including Chairman, until June 30, 2011. James Howell won the Association of Community College Trustees' Leadership Award for the Western Region in 2011.

Frances W. Hughes, Ph.D., 1988-1991

Dr. Frances W. Hughes, long-time educator and resident of Oklahoma City, was appointed to Position No. 1 of the Board of Regents in March 1988 by Governor Henry Bellmon to complete the seven-year term of Regent William Bernhardt, whose term was to expire June 30, 1988. She was also reappointed by Governor Bellmon in March 1988 for a seven-year term to expire June 30, 1995. She resigned from the Board in February 1991 for family health concerns and relocated to Washington, DC. The Frances White Hughes Scholars program was later endowed with funds from her estate.

Fred C. Joiner, 1968-1974

Fred C. Joiner was appointed by the first four members of the Board of Trustees in 1968 for a seven-year term. He was appointed to the Board of Regents of the College by Governor David Hall in December 1973 for a four-year term. He was a resident of and business owner in Del City. He resigned from the Board in July 1974 to run for public office.

Marie S. Jordan, 1991-1998

Marie Jordan, Midwest City resident and businesswoman, was appointed to Position No. 1 of the Board of Regents by Governor David Walters in April 1991 to complete the seven-year term of Regent Frances Hughes, due to expire June 30, 1995. Regent Jordan was reappointed by Governor Frank Keating for a seven-year term to expire June 30, 2002. She served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1993, through May 14, 1998, when she resigned from her position on the Board.

Orin Kimball, 1968-1973

First SecretaryOrin Kimball was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College on August 1, 1968, for a one-year term. A resident of and business owner in Midwest City, Trustee Kimball served as the first Board Secretary and was re-elected to the Board in 1969 by residents of the local technical district. He died in February 1973 while in active service on the Board.

Carroll McIlvoy, 1968-1971

First Vice ChairmanCarroll McIlvoy was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College on August 1, 1968, and was re-elected by the residents of the local technical district in 1970. A resident of and businessman in Del City, he served as the first Vice Chairman of the Board. He resigned from the board in March 1971.

Maurice C. Nickell, DDS, 1976-1987

Dr. Maurice Nickell, Midwest City resident and dentist, was appointed to Position No. 6 of the Board of Regents by Governor David Boren in May 1976 to complete the term of Regents Joe Barnes, whose term was to expire June 30, 1979. Regent Nickell was subsequently reappointed by Governor Boren for a seven-year term to run through June 30, 1986. He served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1979, through June 30, 1981. He continued to serve the Board through October 2, 1987.

Norris Price, 1974-1977

Norris Price, resident of and businessman in Del City, was appointed by Governor David Hall in July 1974 to complete the unexpired term of Fred Joiner. Regent Price served through June 30, 1977.

Don S. Reynolds, 1971-2001

Don S. Reynolds, Del City resident and banker, was elected as a Trustee for the Oscar Rose Junior College Board of Trustees in March 1971. Upon the College becoming a full member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, he was appointed by Governor David Hall to the Board of Regents for a two-year term in July 1973 and reappointed for a seven-year term in 1975. Governors George Nigh, Henry Bellmon, and Frank Keating each reappointed him for seven-year terms, through June 30, 2003. Due to health concerns, Regent Reynolds resigned from the Board September 30, 2001, with the distinction at that time as the longest serving regent in Oklahoma higher education. He served as Chairman of the Board for two terms, 1975-1977 and 1986-1988. The Rose State College Student Services Building was named in honor of Regent Reynolds.

Lynne F. Saunders, 1991-1997 & 1998-2002

Lynne Saunders, Midwest City resident and attorney in Oklahoma City, was appointed to Position No. 3 of the Board of Regents by Governor David Walters in April 1991 to complete the seven-year term of Regent Patricia Hefton, due to expire June 30, 1997. Regent Saunders was then appointed to the Board to Position No. 1 by Governor Frank Keating to complete the unexpired seven-year term of Regent Jordan, due to expire June 30, 2002. Regent Saunders served as Chairman of the Bord from July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.

William R. Sharp, Jr., 1987-1993

William R. Sharp, Jr., businessman and resident of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, was appointed to Position No. 6 of the Board of Regents in October 1987 by Governor Henry Bellmon to complete the seven-year term of Regent Maurice Nickell due to expire June 30, 1993. Regent Sharp served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1992, through June 30, 1993.

Julia M. Thomas, 1980-1987

Julia Thomas, resident of Midwest City, was appointed to Position No. 7 of the Board of Regents in June 1980 by Governor George Nigh to complete the seven-year term of Regent John Conrad, whose term was to expire June 30, 1987. She served as Chairman of the Board from July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1986. She served on the Board through December 4, 1987.

Russell D. Vaught, 1968-1973

First ChairmanRussell D. Vaught was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to the Board of Trustees of Oscar Rose Junior College on August 1, 1968 and was re-elected by the residents of the local technical district in 1970. A resident of and businessman in Midwest City, he served as the first Chairman of the Board from the date of his appointment through July 31, 1972. He resigned from the Board in May 1973 when he was appointed by Governor David Hall to serve as a member of The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Jo Helen Webber, 1977-1984

Jo Helen Webber, Midwest City resident and granddaughter of Oscar Rose, for whom the College was named, was appointed to Position No. 3 of the Board of Regents by Governor David Boren in July 1977 to complete the term of her husband, Toney Webber. Although the term was to expire June 30, 1983, she continued to serve through July 1984.

Toney M. Webber, 1973-1977

Toney Webber was a resident of and attorney in Midwest City when he was appointed by Governor David Hall in May 1973 to Position No. 3 of the Board of Regents to serve a three-year term. He was then reappointed by Governor David Boren for a seven-year term. He resigned his position on the Board in July 1977 for health reasons.